The Test series starts from August 1 at Edgbaston.

The England versus India Test series is just around the corner and speculations regarding the kind of pitches on offer have already started. With England experiencing a warm summer with no rains in the recent period, pitches are expected to be dry which will assist the Indian spinners.

On the other hand, former England bowling coach Troy Cooley backed the hosts to deliver in their backyard.

"James Anderson and Stuart Broad can trouble the Indian batsmen. When England pitches get dry, reverse swing becomes the key. When the wicket is dry and the ball is not seaming as much, the reverse comes into play. England are masters in reverse swing in their country," said Cooley, who is here as head coach of National Cricket Centre in Brisbane accompanying 12 players from the Australian Cricket Academy.

"The Duke ball does a lot when it becomes old. Duke ball is normally set for grassier and seaming surfaces. When it gets dry, the coating on the ball gets ripped off quickly, thereby giving an opportunity for it to reverse. And the squares will play a big part in roughing the ball," Cooley mentioned.

Cooley also believed that the five-match Test series will Test the senior England bowlers. "The conditions are expected to be a little harder and drier. They have to bowl much faster, using the reverse swing. They have to put in more effort. It will definitely test their endurance," he said.

The five-match Test series between the two sides starts from August 1 in Edgbaston.